tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7933957814256472722017-08-16T06:38:45.172-07:00Moments with MylesOn April 10, 2012 my dad passed away unexpectedly. This blog is my attempt to capture the stories and memories of his most extraordinary life. My hope is that it will also be a way to heal my heart.Heather Willmannoreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-76241925402735860932016-02-27T19:37:00.001-08:002016-02-27T19:37:28.370-08:00Crying My Eyes Out Tonight was family movie night in the Willman household. This means that we all hunker down amidst pillows, blankets, hot chocolates, and popcorn and watch a movie together. Tonight was Anna's choice and she choice a Netflix movie called "Heart of the Country" about love between a father and his daughter. Of course, this was a tearjerker for all of us and I couldn't help but remember the nights when mom and I would be crying watching some sappy movie and dad would sit on the coach mimicking our sobs. I would have given anything tonight to look over and hear him sniffing and making fun of us! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-33379990542439645302015-09-12T13:29:00.003-07:002015-09-12T13:29:48.644-07:00A New Friend This last week Erik started pre-school. We all thought he'd just sail into this new adventure since he is not shy at all and loves meeting new people. Not so much! He actually cried until lunch on the first day and came out with red and puffy eyes. On Wednesday I worried how he would do. When we arrived, there was another little boy just arriving who looked terrified. They started to play side by side and I hoped that they would become buddies. When I picked him up on Wednesday the staff said he had a much better day. In Erik's words, "I only cried a tiny, winy bit and I met a new friend." I asked him what his friend's name was. Myles was the answer. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-36074900550193277322015-06-21T18:10:00.002-07:002015-06-21T18:10:40.821-07:00Glimpses of Dad This past week I have noticed lots of little glimpses of dad in each of the kids. We attended Vacation Bible School Family Night last week and the kids got to share all of their songs and actions. As all the kids sang along I noticed that Erik was decidedly off-beat with his clapping... just like Grandpa Myles! Today, we spent the day in Woodbury enjoying Myndy and Jason's pool. We had lots of snacks but both Mylee and Ellie spent all of their time eating watermelon...just like Grandpa Myles! We also had some time to jump off the diving board and Anna spent her time making up funny dives to get us to laugh. She likes a good joke...just like Grandpa Myles! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-75893812303153020452015-01-24T22:40:00.002-08:002015-01-24T22:40:21.912-08:00It all started with the band concert... The last few weeks have been full of taps on the shoulder from my dad. It started with Ellie's band concert a little over a week ago. While she was getting ready I remembered my own very first band concert in sixth grade. Poor dad had to drive home and get the flute I had forgotten at home. I'll give you three guesses how happy Susie was with me. Then after enduring that horrible first sixth grade concert I remember drilling him on the way home, " What was your favorite song?" "What did you like best about the concert?" "Could you hear me playing on the fourth measure?" I am sure that he was just glad that it was all over but he played along like the great dad that he was. He listed favorite parts and favorite measures and made me feel so important. Tonight we had a dance party to celebrate Steve's birthday. Our friend Dustin told us of the "great mouse adventure" at his mom's apartment. His mom had called him in a panic about a dead mouse under her bed. He had many questions including, "how do you know it is dead?" "how long has it been there?" "how did it die?" When he arrived he realized it was just an extension cord covered in dust. This reminded me of how much fun dad used to have with dryer lint scaring mom with fake mice. I am thankful for all of the taps on the shoulder. I miss you every day dad! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-52686048839800544022014-09-19T19:10:00.001-07:002014-09-19T19:10:13.080-07:00Cheese Curds and the Bucket List Today has been a day filled with memories of my dad. I stopped by the grocery store and had to pick up an appetizer for a happy hour party. They had fresh cheese curds and the lady giving out the samples called them squeakers, just like dad! Of course I bought some and they were delicious. Later today, Erik and I spent some time swinging on the swing set in the backyard. I thought of how dad and Steve got up at 6 am to start construction on the swing set and how we had to convince dad that he couldn't start drilling and nailing at 6 am in the city! Just now, we watched The Bucket List. I remember dad loving this movie and it's message...find the joy in your life! I am grateful for the glimpses of dad today. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-62829118485390832272014-06-11T20:15:00.002-07:002014-06-11T20:15:26.489-07:00Juke Box Hero Tonight we celebrated my mom's birthday with dinner in Cannon Falls. We asked her for her best birthday party memory. She said, "A party where we got to invite boys and we got to swim in the gravel pit." Is anyone surprised by this? When I asked her what her best gift was she did not hesitate at all. "My fiftieth birthday when Myles bought me the jukebox." I will never forget that day and how excited my dad was for mom to see the gift. We had her come out to the garage and she thought she was getting a new dining room table. When mom saw the jukebox she kissed the guy from Jim's game supply. He said it was the best reaction he'd ever gotten from a delivery. The next time you come to the cabin and listen to a tune remember my dad, the jukebox hero! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-16534786901334168732014-04-10T14:28:00.001-07:002014-04-10T14:29:52.197-07:00Two Years Ago Today Today marks the 2nd year anniversary of us living without dad. It hardly seems possible that we've been able to keep on laughing, crying, working and soldiering on without his presence. This morning I woke up at 5 am and had the best vision of dad. He was sitting in the front of the Bass Tracker with one foot on the trolling motor looking at the sunset on Blue Lake. I hope the fishing is great, dad! PS...I can't bare<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tuhyj7hoOJM/UUkiS1GWqfI/AAAAAAAAAD0/vAhvt4tyg-k/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tuhyj7hoOJM/UUkiS1GWqfI/AAAAAAAAAD0/vAhvt4tyg-k/s320/077.JPG" /></a> to eat the last walleye package in the freezer so it sits in the corner of the deep freeze as my sweet memory of dad each time I look for something to make for dinner! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-47986041946786306852014-01-18T14:59:00.003-08:002014-01-18T14:59:29.634-08:00Curious Call A few weeks ago mom received a phone call at 4 am. It was the day she was closing on the house so she'd been having trouble sleeping that night. It was a man named Marty Fairbanks. He had been a sentenced to serve worker and he and dad had hit it off many years ago. When he was able to move into his first apartment mom and dad bought him a microwave and some other items that they thought he would need. He had been away from Thief River Falls for the last few years and called looking for dad. Mom told him that dad passed away and he couldn't believe it. He told mom how dad had been like a father to him and his dream was to run a tree service business with dad. Mom finally got him calmed down and told him to keep in touch. On a day when we needed dad, this call made mom realize how much he is still around in the others that remember and miss him. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-74672951720263039702014-01-04T14:13:00.002-08:002014-01-04T14:13:22.333-08:00Letter To Dad Dear, Dad Today I'm feeling the need to be closer to you so it's time for a letter. First, an update on the Christmas festivities of 2013: * Katy continues to be in the lead for best lefse roller. She and mom made homemade lefse for all of us and Steve-o ate the most. * Erik is on a no-clothes kick. Every day he asks if he has to wear pants. He is currently wearing fireman underwear and roaming the house. * Myndy and Jason hosted a great Christmas celebration. You would have loved the pasta bar with homemade meatballs. * Mylee and Stella got a fancy Cadillac Escalade for their present. Should be fun this spring and summer. No Crestliner for us yet, but Steve is shopping for boats daily! You would be proud of mom. She has done a great job getting the house ready to sell and should close sometime next week. I made her a book about "The Little Brown House" where you are featured promimently! Many shots of the family with wild game. Myndy and Jason are in Hawaii and Stella keeps thinking there is a man who looks like you...right down to the Merrells and Hawaiian shirt. I'm sure you are keeping an eye on all of us and tapping us on the shoulder ocassionally. Love you, Heather Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-21424807496672566162013-12-21T13:46:00.001-08:002013-12-22T10:42:43.421-08:00Glimpses of Dad!This week each day has been filled with glimpses of dad. On Thursday, Ellie and I rode the Holly Jolly Trolley to see the lights of Rochester with the girl scout troop. At one of the lighted homes, the owner came out in his carhartt bibs to give the kids hot chocolate and cider. As we pulled away from his house I looked up to see him lighting up a cigarette. Images of dad in his carhartt bibs with a smoke hanging out of his mouth came to mind. Today we made flatbread, one of dad's favorites. We used Beatti's famous recipe with the malt-o-meal. As we rolled out the dough I could hear dad saying, " Let the rolling pin do the work. Don't use too much flour or they'll be tough. They should be paper thin." Today I'm grateful for these taps on the shoulder from dad. Missing you today and always, dad! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-55972545365565246132013-11-15T19:41:00.001-08:002013-11-15T19:41:22.071-08:00Deer Hunting Fall was always my dad's favorite season. He loved hunting with friends and showing his "city son-in-laws" the ropes. Last weekend Steve and Jason made the annual trip north for the big hunt. On Sunday morning they had some good luck and we're pretty sure that dad was leading those deer in to make sure we had venison for the winter. Thanks to Lyle, Krist and Shawn for taking up the guide service! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-70670232708043590302013-10-23T18:52:00.001-07:002013-10-23T18:52:26.364-07:00Call to Grandpa Myles Tonight Erik decided he needed to make a special call to grandpa Myles. He wanted to make sure grandpa knew about his new car. He said, "Hello grandpa. Is Jesus taking good care of you? I have a new car that has two seats so there is room for you. I love you grandpa." I asked how grandpa was and he said, "Good. He misses us but Jesus is taking care of him." Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-89080246693198405972013-10-06T19:13:00.002-07:002013-10-06T19:13:22.589-07:00Memories of the Little Brown House The last month or so mom has been working very hard to get the house ready to sell. We'll head up north in a few weeks to help her move some things out and get ready to move into town. It will be a blessing for her not to have to worry about snow removal, mowing, and those little furry creatures that you get when you live in the country. As I think about my childhood it seems every room or place in the yard has a memory: My old bedroom:I can clearly remember the burned hole in the carpet that was made when I tipped my dresser over and the lamp full down. Dad was not very happy with me about that one! My new bedroom: I always thought I had the coolest bedroom with the loft, built in desk and fancy waterbed. I remember many nights playing in the loft with the Aandals and the night Travis decided to jump down! The basement: My sisters and I spent many days playing house down in the basement and having Barbie fashion show contests. I also remember some great birthday parties and playing pin the tail on the donkey downstairs in the basement. The playhouse: As I remember it Grandpa Rufus and dad worked together to build us a playhouse. We thought it was a deluxe model because it had sliding glass windows and a dutch door. Dad was never too busy to come through our drive-through and order a Big Mac. These and so many more memories are tied up in the little brown house. I was a lucky kid! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-47955030438401390432013-09-10T19:34:00.000-07:002013-09-10T19:34:43.855-07:00Dad's Apple Tree <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgdfgC5KVSc/Ui_WKNjz1JI/AAAAAAAAAHw/9peZi_kBbxw/s1600/apple+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cgdfgC5KVSc/Ui_WKNjz1JI/AAAAAAAAAHw/9peZi_kBbxw/s320/apple+tree.JPG" /></a> The fall before dad passed away he helped us find a new tree for our front yard. The original tree that had been planted had taken a beating in the wind and so we needed something new. Dad loved this Honeycrisp apple tree and told us we'd have apples that first fall. We didn't believe him but last year we had a few apples. This year our tiny tree is full of juicy and delicious apples. Thanks dad! Every morning when I pull out of my driveway and see that tree I know you are with us. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-85522972973440357782013-09-05T19:48:00.000-07:002013-09-05T19:48:29.390-07:00Whist This weekend we spent a bit of time at the cabin to break up the trip to Bismarck. On Saturday night we decided to play whist. I remember this being such a rite of passage for me. I knew I was "grown up" when I got to play cards with the adults. As we taught Steve and Jason the rules of the game lots of memories came flooding back: 1. Grandpa Kenny teasing grandma Eleanor that she was laying in the weeds when she didn't want to grand. 2. Grandpa Kenny saying he had a hand like a foot. 3. All of the adults admonishing us for "table talk" 4. Dad and mom playing against Grandpa and Grandma. 5. Grandpa Kenny always having an ace on the bottom. As we sat in the basement listening to the jukebox and playing whist I felt like Grandpa and Grandma Emerson and dad were right there with us cheering us on. PS...Mom and I won! Don't let anyone tell you differently. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-69914019006866402082013-08-19T18:38:00.000-07:002013-08-19T18:38:07.594-07:00Survival Kit Last week mom was doing some packing to get ready to move. As she rummaged through boxes in the basement she found a bag packed with winter boots, snow pants and a pair of choppers. Sure enough...it was a bag that dad had packed for one of us to make sure we traveled safely. This reminded me of the time we got stuck about a mile from home. It was only twenty minutes that we were in the car but Myndy cracked open the survival kit and ate the chocolate bar right away. Dad just had to laugh. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-83990769425979497662013-08-05T19:48:00.000-07:002013-08-05T19:48:11.561-07:00Staining the Deck This week Katy and mom are spending time at the cabin and working on a few projects. Yesterday Katy spent the day staining and wore dad's jeans as a tribute. She and mom thought about how dad would complete project after project without complaining. I remember when mom and dad bought the lake lot and how excited dad was when he thought about the great memories we'd make at the cabin. He always wanted it to be a gathering place for family. As we travel up north for one last hurrah on Friday we'll make great memories and hold dad near us in our hearts. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-42277136979910736942013-06-22T19:44:00.001-07:002013-06-22T19:44:27.078-07:00Dreaming of Dad I have been hoping to dream about my dad these last few months because I know that would make me feel closer to him and I am missing him something terrible. Last night I got my wish. I had a great dream that took place at the sports arena. I had been dropped off and was "working" with dad. I remember so distinctly how much I loved these afternoons. My favorite thing to do was sit up on the emergency table in the office that was used when someone was injured. I'd listen in on all the city gossip and "have coffee" with the guys. Last night I got to do all of these things with dad. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-19754602877966538752013-06-14T07:09:00.000-07:002013-06-14T07:09:02.820-07:00Following in Dad's Footsteps As mom drove by the cemetery the other day she noticed that that sentenced to serve workers were working on scraping and repainting the church. Dad spent many hours working with the sentenced to serve workers and he always enjoyed taking time to get to know them. Mom decided that she should treat them to pizza and some baked goods this week. Dad would have been proud! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-14426834006316638232013-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:002013-06-04T09:52:46.791-07:00Magnolia Mom We just returned from a weekend in Woodbury. We helped Katy celebrate her birthday and swam in the Livingston pool. When we arrived on Saturday morning Myndy and Jason had to show us their new magnolia tree. They had received one last year in memory of dad but it had not done well where it was planted. When they went to get a replacement the only one left was called Susan. I'm thinking this was a bit of Myles Mojo present in our lives. Missing you tonight,dad! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-63255105363012900372013-05-27T20:42:00.000-07:002013-05-27T20:42:04.692-07:00Home Videos We just spent memorial weekend at the cabin putting the docks in and getting things ready for the season. Myndy and Jason brought their video camera so that we could see Stella in her school program. Of course she stole the show! After we had looked at that video we decided we wanted to watch some more videos...especially some of dad. My favorite was the video of him in Hawaii fishing for Mahi Mahi. I'm sure most tourists would get on board the boat and expect the guides to wait on them and show them how to do everything. Not dad. He wanted to help with cleaning up, getting the bait ready, and anything else that needed to be done. He also spent a lot of time chatting up the fishermen and ended up with some new friends. Both mom and I were apprehensive about seeing dad on camera and we didn't know how we'd react. For me, it made me feel close to dad. Seeing his smile and watching him in his fishing hat, khaki pants and sandals did my heart good! Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-48173068584331718622013-05-22T19:31:00.000-07:002013-05-22T19:31:02.145-07:00Apple Blossoms Today I looked at the apple tree that dad helped us pick out. Last year we had four or five blossoms and this year we are up to ten. The tree reminded me of dad and how each day there are more and more "Mylesisms" that are just part of the way I experience the world. Last night Ellie said, "Mom, doesn't my hair feel soft?" I could just hear dad saying, "Nice hair.... for a dog." This morning I drove to work and saw someone up in a bucket truck trimming branches. I can't see a bucket truck without thinking of my dad and wanting to offer all those workers a cup of coffee. The tornado in Ohio....hiding out in the basement during bad weather with dad. Filling on gas at Kwik Trip....how much dad loved their produce prices. The list goes on and on. The beautiful part is that all of the little things I do each day are filled with memories of my dad. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-20882109795954313032013-05-12T17:49:00.000-07:002013-05-12T17:49:03.746-07:00Opening Fishing We just arrived back home from opening fishing weekend at the cabin. Brrr...it was sure chilly this year. Katy, Stella, Erik, Anna, Ellie and I piled in the van on Friday and headed up north to spend the weekend with mom. Myndy and Mylee flew up on Thursday to help mom give the first Myles Olson wrestling scholarship. As we turned onto Intrepid Drive I felt a profound sadness that we would not see dad waiting up for us. He and mom used to stay up watching TV until we got to the cabin safely. Once we were in and he knew we were safe he'd sneak off to bed. Cousin Shawn gets the Myles award for the weekend because he was the only one brave enough to try out the fishing! We all knew that if dad were alive he would have been bundled up, trolling the shoreline for walleye. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-78523489595275792322013-05-05T18:53:00.000-07:002013-05-05T18:53:46.567-07:00Christmas Conundrum We had pork tenderloin prepared on the grill tonight. It was delicious and as so many things do, it reminded me of my dad and a story! Quite a few years ago Myndy had just started dating Jason. We all traveled to Aunt Gloria's for Christmas dinner. As Gloria was getting everything set up and cutting the ham dad asked, "What are you going to serve Jason? He's Jewish, you know." After giving Gloria heart palpitations dad finally decided to come clean and tell her that he was just kidding. We all enjoyed a delicious ham dinner and a Myles prank. Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793395781425647272.post-4259762669574766902013-04-28T06:46:00.004-07:002013-04-28T06:46:43.079-07:00Stella's Dream Car Myndy and Jason bought a new car recently. Stella asked, "Is it pink?" Myndy said " No, it is black." Stella said, "I want a pink car with a racoon on the back!'' Myndy said, "Do you know someone that has that?" and Stella said, "yes, Grandpa Myles." Heather Willmanhttps://plus.google.com/117356704196445065071noreply@blogger.com0